Route 66 marathon planned for Oct. 3

Plans for the event were announced yesterday by the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Route 66 Mother Road Marathon Committee. Runners will follow the storied route out of Oklahoma, through the southeast corner of Kansas to Joplin.

The committee expects to attract more than 1,000 participants for the inaugural event. Special events are being planned for the week under the Route 66 theme.

Joplin Convention Bureau Director Vince Lindstrom said a half marathon is planned in June to serve as a training event for the Mother Road Marathon.

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